Skim Milk vs. Rice Milk

Have you ever wondered about the nutritional differences between rice milk and skim milk? Both milks provide carbohydrates and are fat free but each has its own unique benefits. The selection between rice milk and skim milk may be based upon taste preferences, ethical issues or health reasons. Read below to understand the differences between rice milk and skim milk.

What is Skim Milk?

Skim milk is produced at a dairy after raw milk has been pumped from a dairy cow. The milk is allowed to sit, allowing for separation to occur. The higher fat milk rises to the top and is then skimmed off. The remaining liquid is the skim milk.

What Are the Benefits of Skim Milk?

Skim milk is a fat-free product that provides calcium, carbohydrates, protein, a list of vitamins, including Vitamin B, C and A, and a host of nutrients, such as riboflavin and magnesium. Skim milk actually contains a higher amount of protein, calcium and potassium per serving than any other form of cow's milk. Skim milk has a small amount of cholesterol. This lower amount of cholesterol, compared to other forms of cow's milk, can be beneficial for those affected by heart disease. Several studies have shown that the calcium in milk and other dairy products may be beneficial for weight loss.

What Are the Benefits of Rice Milk?

Rice milk is created by pressing brown rice through a mill stream. The milk attained by straining the processed rice. Similar to skim milk, rice milk has a small amount of cholesterol, which makes this a wise alternative to other drink products with higher cholesterol. Rice milk is unsweetened, yet the natural sweetness of the rice provides some flavor.

Skim Milk Compared to Rice Milk

Compared to rice milk, skim milk is a much more nutrient dense product. Unlike skim milk, rice milk has little to no calcium, iron, protein, vitamins and nutrients. All these nutritional elements aid in your body's ability to metabolize food, produce energy and develop bones. Additionally, rice milk contains more carbohydrates than skim milk. Certain brands of rice milk are now fortified with calcium, vitamin D and vitamin A to help this drink equal the benefits of skim milk.

Then Why Choose Rice Milk?

Despite the nutritional powerhouse that skim milk is, there are several reasons that would make rice milk a wise choice. A common food intolerance for people is lactose intolerance. The sugars in cow's milk are derived from lactose, yet this is not the case with rice milk. For people who are lactose intolerant, rice milk is a safe alternative to cow's milk. Additionally, this product is not derived from an animal, making it a good choice for vegetarians or vegans who do not want to consume a product created from animal by-products. If choosing rice milk, be sure to select a product that has been fortified or is called "rich rice milk" to ensure that you are still getting most of the nutritional benefits found in cow's milk.